R. A. Fisher and evolutionary theory

Abstract

R. A. Fisher, apart from his fundamental contributions to statistical science, fostered many developments of theoretical evolutionary science. In commemoration of Fisher’s birth centenary (1991), this paper highlights several of Fisher’s interests in evolutionary processes. These include the “Fundamental Theorem of Natural Selection,” studies on the phenomenon of an even sex ratio in natural populations, the “runaway process” of sexual selection and models of polygenic inheritance. Some historical discussions and perspectives on evolutionary science and the Fisher legacy are also presented. © 1992, Institute of Mathematical Statistics. All Rights Reserved.